Best Usenet Provider (January 2019 Update)

The best Usenet provider means one with access to lots of uncensored newsgroups at a good price, a free trial period, privacy protections like SSL and no logging, high retention rates, plenty of connections and fast download speeds.

Which is the best Usenet provider for uncensored newsgroup downloads?

The best Usenet provider will let you download from newsgroups to access a staggering number of videos, images, audio and software applications, completely uncensored, and at fast speeds.

Plus, Usenet is also a safe way to get the content you love. This is thanks to strong encrypted connections (SSL) between you and the Usenet servers and no logs being kept of your activities. As a key of their business model, Usenet providers rely on strictly maintaining their customers’ privacy.

We should also not forget, this being Usenet, that these services let you to participate in the zany, chaotic, and completely uncensored world of newsgroup discussions, if you like. Enjoy!

Quick Answer to Best Usenet Provider

There are now over 100 Usenet providers to choose from. But don't worry, further below we provide a detailed guide on what to look for when trying to figure out the best Usenet provider for you. Based on our own research and trials, these are the top 3 Usenet providers in January 2019:

Data Transfer Limits

The higher the limits, the more you can download (hint: unlimited data is good!)

If you start to search NZB Indexers for finding and downloading files from Usenet, you will be using lots of data.

Number of Newsgroups

This includes binaries newsgroups, which contain image, video, music and software files you can download. If you are interested in a specific newsgroup, you should search newsgroups carried by a provider carries before signing up for its service.

Retention Periods

This is how long, usually measured in days, the Usenet provider keeps older newsgroup posts.

The higher the retention period, the more binaries will be available to download. Retention periods typically start at around 1200 days, but the best Usenet providers offer > 2800+ day retention periods.

Privacy Protections

This includes things such as the provider’s privacy policy, and how strong the encryption they use to protect downloads from prying eyes (with 256-bit SSL being the industry standard).

For maximum privacy, select a provider (like those above) that keeps no logs or records of what you download, or which newsgroups you subscribe to.

You can use a VPN for extra protection too (see separate section further below).

Completion Rates

There are few things in life more irritating than downloading a file, only to find that it stops at 90% completion because the remaining parts are not available.

Nearly all Usenet providers claim 99%+ completion rates, but take these claims with a grain of salt. Completion rates can vary for a number of reasons and so it is often a good idea to also use a secondary Usenet block account to maximize your completion rates.

DMCA Policies & Practices

Usenet providers are obliged under law to remove copyright materials from their servers when notified by the appropriate copyright holder. These are referred to as "takedown" notices under schemes in the US known as DMCA and the European equivalent NTD.

Some Usenet providers are faster than others at following takedown notices and removing this content from their servers before you can download it.

Just Tell Me Which Usenet Provider is the Fastest!

Whether you’re searching for your first Usenet provider or you’re dissatisfied with your current newsgroup service, you’re probably wondering… which Usenet provider is the fastest?

The short answer is, it’s complicated.

Choosing the fastest Usenet provider for downloading from newsgroups depends on many things. We take you through all the considerations and provide some thoughtful recommendations that you can try risk-free.

There is No “One Size Fits All” Solution

There are so many different variables to consider that it’s impossible to give you a definitive answer on which will be the fastest Usenet provider for YOU.

The performance you experience for any given Usenet provider can vary depending on factors such as:

your location compared to where the Usenet provider's servers are located

We fully encourage you to take advantage of free trials, so that you can “try before you buy” and find out which Usenet provider truly is best for you. Try one or two (or all of ‘em) until you find the one that works best for you. The Usenet providers we recommend all offer 7- to 14-day free trial periods, letting you see how they work for you without any risk.

Is it Really Necessary to Use a VPN with Usenet?

It is common these days for Usenet providers to offer “plus VPN packages” which are thrown in for free with longer-term signups. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure encrypted tunnel between your computer (or device) and a VPN server, through which all your Internet traffic passes.

Using a VPN with Usenet has these important advantages:

Your ISP cannot see what you get up to on the Internet: Using a VPN provides an additional layer of protection when you are downloading from Usenet because not even your ISP will be able to detect that you are downloading from Usenet. All your ISP will be able to see is that you are connected to a VPN server (which is perfectly legal almost everywhere.) Your Usenet downloads will all occur inside the safety of the VPN's encrypted tunnel. This way, your ISP will not be tempted to throttle or so-called “shape” your download speeds.

Your IP address appears to be that of the VPN server: this improves privacy by masking your true IP address from anyone on the Internet trying to watch your activity. It also means that anything you post (upload) to Usenet newsgroups will bear the IP address of your VPN service and not your real IP address.

You are protected when using Usenet over Wi-Fi hot spots: because the VPN encrypts your Internet connection, your data cannot be hacked when using a public Wi-Fi hot spot, even if you connect to a compromised access point. So, if you access Usenet on a hot spot – for example, while on vacation or traveling – you remain safe and your Usenet activities stay private.

A VPN is a great general purpose privacy tool (see our Best VPN Services posts), and makes a great “plus” when choosing a Usenet plan, especially as these packages typically throw in a VPN at a much lower price or even for free.

Wrap-Up: Best Usenet Provider (for January 2019)

The quality of good Usenet services continues to grow, with ever increasing data transfer limits, number of newsgroups, retention periods, and so on.

We are also thrilled about the trend of Usenet providers adding low-cost (or free) VPN packages to their plans, as this helps further protect the privacy or fellow newsgroup downloaders. In fact, we are confident that the additional privacy safeguards offered by Usenet will continue to see more and more torrenters and online streamers migrating to Usenet too.

We end by comparing a selection of the best Usenet provider picks, based on up-to-date research. But you can also do your own research. Check out our massive table comparing all 100+ Usenet providers.

Newshosting – best value for money with lots of newsgroups, good speeds, free newsreader & VPN

Giganews – expensive but best quality with most newsgroups, best customer service & proven user privacy